After learning that The Good Nurse is a based on a true story, you’ll forever be haunted by the idea of trusting your loved one’s nurse in the hospital. We answer some of your burning questions regarding The Good Nurse in this guide:
Is The Good Nurse A True Story?
First things first, yes, The Good Nurse is a real story based on the 2013 book, The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder written by Charles Graeber. Unlike other true crime shows and movies, however, The Good Nurse follows the story of Amy Loughren (played by Jessica Chastain) as the nurse who discovered and helped her colleague, Charles Cullen (played by Eddie Redmayne), admit to his crimes. After his sentencing, Cullen is regarded as one of the most prolific serial killers in the country after taking the lives of almost 30 patients. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Tobias Lindholm revealed that the film was intended to “never offer any knowledge about Charlie that [Amy] doesn’t have” so that the audience won’t get to identify with the serial killer.
Who Was The Killer In The Good Nurse?
The killer in The Good Nurse is Charles Cullen (portrayed by Eddie Redmayne). He was found guilty of taking the lives of 29 of his patients as he worked in different hospitals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Good Nurse: How Many Killed By Charles Cullen?
Two years after graduating from nursing school in 1986, Cullen killed his first victim. Twenty years later and that victim count rose to 29. By then, he had been working as a nurse in 10 hospitals and nursing homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for 16 years. When he was arrested in 2003, Cullen told investigators that he killed as much as 40 patients. But some estimates reveal that he could have murdered as much as 400 patients.
Cullen revealed to police that he killed his patients by injecting deadly doses of medication into their IV fluid bags. He used digoxin (a heart disease medication), insulin, and lidocaine (a local anesthetic.) Cullen later became known as the “Angel of Death.” He says he wanted to alleviate his patients’ pain and suffering by killing the out of mercy. But it was revealed that some of his patients were not terminally ill, some were even as young as 21.
Is Amy Real In The Good Nurse?
Yes, Amy Loughren is a real person who got the chance to work with a serial killer. After Cullen’s arrest in 2003, Loughren quit her job as a nurse so she could know more about herself and why she became close to a murderer. Before discovering his crimes, Loughren considered Cullen as her “closest friend.” She trusted Cullen with her life and confided in him in several occasions. The real Loughren, as portrayed in the movies, has two daughters who she lives with in upstate New York.
How Did Amy Suspect Charles Cullen?
After several patients died in 2003, detectives visited Somerset Medical Centre where Loughren and Cullen worked together. A detective showed Loughren the names of patients and drug dosages that Cullen had taken out. Loughren said that “it was very, very obvious there was something not right.” Even though she considered Cullen as her closest friend, she cooperated with police to stop him before anyone else could get hurt. Prior to helping the police, Loughren sought her 11-year-old daughter’s advice and told her how their “lives might completely change.” Her daughter’s response helped convince her to do the right thing: “Mum, he’s murdering people.”
Loughren started working with detectives and wore a wire when she went to a restaurant with Cullen. She confronted Cullen about the murders and offered to help him go to the police station. Cullen’s demeanor changed and he said: “I’m going to go down fighting.” Police arrested Cullen after Loughren got him to confess to the murders.
Where Is Amy From The Good Nurse Now?
In the film, Loughren was revealed to have a heart condition. In real life, however, her heart condition was not as serious as the film put it out to be. She also received experimental heart surgery 18 years ago. Today, Loughren lives in Florida with her daughters and grandchildren. She now works as a hypnotherapist, reiki master, crystal language reader, and meditation instructor. Loughren had some involvement in The Good Nurse. Prior to the start of production, she met with Lindholm to confirm some parts of the story.
After watching The Good Nurse, Loughren said: “I showed up as a mum. I showed up as a nurse. I showed up as a friend. The only reason Charlie is not still murdering is because of my friendship with him.”
Is Charles Cullen Still Alive?
In 2004, Cullen entered into a plea deal with prosecutors by helping identify victims. He pleaded guilty and went into a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. A year later, he refused to cooperate with prosecutors when his request to donate a kidney to a friend’s relative was denied. New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said: “We don’t care if Charles Cullen donates a kidney to anyone. He’s either going to die in jail or pursuant to the death penalty. It doesn’t matter to us.” In August 2006, Cullen was successfully able to donate his kidney since he was healthy. Today, Cullen is 62 years old and continues to be incarcerated in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. He is serving 18 consecutive life sentences with the earliest possible parole date set for June 2388.
The Good Nurse is now streaming on Netflix.
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